Features

"After using Sonlight for just one year, I'm completely astonished how well my daughter reads," writes Jessie S of Deridder, LA. "Before we started using Sonlight, she absolutely loathed it. After using Core B with Grade 1 Readers, her reading skills took off and she now reads with amazing fluency. Reading has become enjoyable, and she actually offers to read to her younger siblings, much to their delight." Here, Journie (6) shares a good read with sister Piper (3) and brother Seeley (2).

I have a friend who uses another curriculum, and she is always stressed out about time. Sonlight is different. I feel free to teach my children using their learning styles and my teaching style. The Instructor's Guides are great – I know exactly what to do each day. We can take time off if needed for spontaneity or vacation or whatever. The single BEST thing about Sonlight is all the wonderful books. Here, superhero Maximus (6) reads his morning devotions.

Erin J of Atlanta, GA writes: "I love the bonding and sweet sibling relationships that homeschooling, and specifically Sonlight's Read-Alouds, provide us. During this photo we were outside enjoying one of Sonlight A's excellent Read-Alouds. While I was reading, my oldest son surprised us with this fantastic chalk illustration of our story. Good literature spans all ages, allowing us to enjoy one another while we enjoy these good books. Thank you Sonlight!"

WHAT ARE YOUR SONLIGHT STORIES?

Use #sonlightstories on social media to share your thoughts and photos. Or log
in to your account on sonlight.com to upload images and share testimonials.

Christian Homeschool Subjects - Read-Alouds

What is a Read-Aloud?

Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook suggests a "classic" is "a work of highest class and acknowledged excellence." We like that definition. That's why we include so many award-winning books in our reading list selection of Read-Aloud books for kids.

You may be wondering, What is a "Read-Aloud"? Read-Aloud stories are quality literary works that you read to your children. Read-aloud books have several functions within Sonlight®. Among them:

To introduce your children to great literature that is beyond their personal reading capacity.

To develop within your children a life-long love of reading. (Even though they may not be able to read a good book on their own, when you read great literature to them, it creates a thirst to read. They begin to think, "I love books! One day I'm going to read books like this!")

To expand your children's vocabulary.

To build listening skills--including the ability to visualize the meaning of spoken words.

We have classified most of our Read-Alouds as Read-Alouds (rather than as Readers), because they require greater reading skill than typical students at such grade levels have normally acquired.

But there are other reasons for classifying a homeschool reading book as a Read-Aloud.

Some Read-Alouds require deeper understanding of "the way things are"--in life in general or in a specific area. Others are emotionally charged enough that we figure you ought to be "right there" to help debrief your children.

And then there is that group of books we've classified as Read-Alouds simply because they are too good to let your children enjoy by themselves. We know you'd feel cheated if you weren't in on the adventure.

Many moms have told us the Read-Alouds are so good, their husbands have gotten involved in the educational process.

Features

"After using Sonlight for just one year, I'm completely astonished how well my daughter reads," writes Jessie S of Deridder, LA. "Before we started using Sonlight, she absolutely loathed it. After using Core B with Grade 1 Readers, her reading skills took off and she now reads with amazing fluency. Reading has become enjoyable, and she actually offers to read to her younger siblings, much to their delight." Here, Journie (6) shares a good read with sister Piper (3) and brother Seeley (2).

I have a friend who uses another curriculum, and she is always stressed out about time. Sonlight is different. I feel free to teach my children using their learning styles and my teaching style. The Instructor's Guides are great – I know exactly what to do each day. We can take time off if needed for spontaneity or vacation or whatever. The single BEST thing about Sonlight is all the wonderful books. Here, superhero Maximus (6) reads his morning devotions.

Erin J of Atlanta, GA writes: "I love the bonding and sweet sibling relationships that homeschooling, and specifically Sonlight's Read-Alouds, provide us. During this photo we were outside enjoying one of Sonlight A's excellent Read-Alouds. While I was reading, my oldest son surprised us with this fantastic chalk illustration of our story. Good literature spans all ages, allowing us to enjoy one another while we enjoy these good books. Thank you Sonlight!"

WHAT ARE YOUR SONLIGHT STORIES?

Use #sonlightstories on social media to share your thoughts and photos. Or log
in to your account on sonlight.com to upload images and share testimonials.